VATICAN - Pope Benedict XVI tells the Salesian General Chapter: “The predilection for and commitment to young people, so characteristic of Don Bosco’s charism, must be translated into a similar commitment to the involvement and formation of families.”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “The appeals addressed to us by young people, especially their questions on fundamental problems, indicate their intense desires for full life, authentic love and constructive freedom. These are situations which cry out to the very heart of the Church and her capacity to announce Christ’s Gospel today with its perspective of hope. I fervently hope, therefore, that the entire Salesian Congregation, together with the results of your General Chapter, may live with renewed commitment and fervor the mission that the Holy Spirit has inspired in the Church, through the maternal intercession of Mary Help of Christians.” These were the words of the Holy Father Benedict XVI to the participants of the General Chapter of the Salesian Order of St. John Bosco, whom he received in an audience on March 31 in the Vatican Apostolic Palace.
In his address, the Pope mentioned some of the themes from the message sent to the Rector Major at the beginning of the Chapter (see Fides 4/3/2008). As a primary commitment, he indicated the need to “strengthen the vocation of each Salesian, that he may live his call to the consecrated life in total fidelity.” “May Christ be the center of your life!,” Benedict XVI told them, advising them to take caution that secularism did not infiltrate into their community of consecrated life, producing “manners and lifestyles that can weaken the evangelical testimony, render pastoral work unsuccessful, and decrease vocational response.” The Pontiff told them that, “the spiritual life should be at the heart of the program for your Congregation. The Word of God and the Liturgy should be the sources of Salesian spirituality!... Fidelity to the Gospel sine glossa and to your Rule of life, especially in a life of austerity and evangelical poverty carried out in a coherent manner, faithful love for the Church and your generous self-donation to the youth, especially those who are most needy and underprivileged, will guarantee a flourishing of your Congregation.”
Recalling the theme of the Chapter - “Da mihi animas, cetera tolle” - that Don Bosco made his program of apostolic life and that had been inspired by Saint Francis de Sales, the Holy Father pointed out that “characteristic of the passionate love for God, another characteristic of the Salesian model is the consciousness of the inestimable value of souls...The apostle is called to called to collaborate in the redemptive work of the Savior, so that not one soul is lost. Today it is also necessary that this passion be fostered in the heart of every Salesian. This will enable him to overcome fears and go with courage into the most difficult areas of evangelization at the service of the youth, especially the most materially and spiritually poor... He will thus be able to face the all-encompassing demands of the mission with a life of simplicity, poverty, and austerity. In sharing in the same conditions of the poorest of the poor, he will have the joy of giving more to those who in this life have less. The apostolic passion will thus become contagious, moving others to participate, as well.” The Pope also told them, “Dear Salesians, make it your aim to form lay people with apostolic hearts, inviting everyone to proceed in that sanctity of life which creates courageous disciples and true apostles.”
The Pontiff dedicated the final part of his address to the great “educational emergency” of our times, pointing out the important need for the family to be active subjects in the education of the youth. “The predilection for and commitment to young people, so characteristic of Don Bosco’s charism, must be translated into a similar commitment to the involvement and formation of families. Your pastoral work with the youth should be directly extended into a pastoral care of families. Caring for families does not subtract from efforts on behalf of the young, rather it makes those efforts more lasting and effective.”
At the close of his address, Benedict XVI mentioned the need for solid formation: “The Church is in urgent need of people with a solid and profound faith, with an updated cultural preparation, with genuine human sensitivity and with a keen pastoral sensibility. She needs consecrated persons who dedicate their lives on this frontier. Only in this way will an effective evangelization be possible. Your Congregation should make this commitment to formation one of its main priorities.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 1/4/2008; righe 55, parole 727)